Fort Bragg’s Army Substance Abuse Program reaches out to Soldiers, Family members, civilians with alcohol, drug abuse problems

Thursday

Apr 4, 2013 at 12:01 AMApr 4, 2013 at 5:04 PM

Sgt. Amie McMillan 10th PCH

Whether you or someone you know has a problem with alcohol or substance abuse, there is help out there no matter how big or small the problem.

The Army Substance Abuse Program at Fort Bragg, currently offers five different programs to help tackle the problems associated with substance abuse as part of the Army’s Ready and Resilient campaign.

At the beginning of the year, Fort Bragg began their Ready and Resilient campaign, geared towards the comprehensive health care of its Soldiers, Family members, and civilians, so they can deal with the challenges of a demanding career.

The programs offered through ASAP aim to strengthen the mental fitness of the force, and encourage Soldiers and Family members to seek assistance without feeling stigmatized. Fort Bragg ASAP offers clinical services, substance abuse prevention and training, drug testing and processing, a Risk Reduction Program, and the Employee Assistance Program.

The clinical program provides evaluation and rehabilitation services for Soldiers experiencing substance abuse and addiction issues. ASAP employees provide training and awareness for the prevention of substance abuse to units across Fort Bragg as part of the prevention and training program. Fort Bragg ASAP facilitates the drug testing of Soldiers and civilian employees through their testing and processing program.

Through the Employee Assistance Program, Fort Bragg ASAP provides screening and referral services for Department of the Army civilians and Family members, as well as consultation to management.

“Unfortunately, if we wait to the point where we have to be referred, then sometimes a lot of damage has already been done in our lives, personally or professionally, and sometimes it’s hard to undo those things,” said Pat Rolleri, prevention coordinator, Fort Bragg ASAP. “It’s never too late, but we encourage people to get help before it gets to that point.”

In the last year, Fort Bragg ASAP reports that there were a total of 212 incidences of driving under the influence — 108 on post and 104 off post.

According to Fort Bragg Master Policy 111, which supplements Army Directive 2012-07 (administrative processing for separation of Soldiers for alcohol or other drug abuse), it requires a mandatory initiation of administrative separation for drug and alcohol related offenses. A flag will be imposed and administrative separation proceedings initiated within five calendar days of credible information that the Soldier drove with a blood alcohol content of .08 or greater. Proceeding will also be initiated if the Soldier is under 21 years old and has any alcohol in their system; refuses to take a blood alcohol test; is involved in a serious alcohol related offense that is punishable under the Uniformed Code of Military Justice by confinement exceeding one year; or if they are found to have used, distributed or been in possession of illegal drugs, substances or paraphernalia.

“Today you realize you have a problem. If you don’t do anything about it, there’s a very good chance there’s going to be an incident, and then your command is going to realize you have a problem, and you’ll be command referred,” said Marci Curry, risk reduction program coordinator, Fort Bragg ASAP.

“Fort Bragg Master Policy 111 states that one incident, one DUI, and your military career may be over. Your command will begin chapter initiation,” Curry explained.

The message is clear, get help voluntarily before an incident occurs and you are command referred, and face the possibility of losing your career.

If you, or someone you know are struggling with an alcohol or substance abuse problem, seek help. ASAP services are not only available to Soldiers and Department of the Army civilians, but they extend to their Family members as well.

If you would like more information regarding Army Substance Abuse Program services offered at Fort Bragg, call 396-4100, or visit one of the four new centers opening on the installation.